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Black Panther Star Chadwick Boseman Explains Wakandan Politics

Chadwick Boseman has offered some interesting details about the chaotic political spectrum of Wakanda in Black Panther- something that he also relates to real world politics. The actor takes on the role of both the Wakandan Prince and the Vibranium-suit wearing hero first debuted the role in Captain America: Civil War after the untimely and tragic death of his father. While taking over the mantle of the Black Panther seemed to have been fairly easy on him, T'Challa struggles more when it comes to the political side of his responsibility to his nation.

Black Panther, which picks up after the events of Civil War, finds the new king pulled in all sorts of directions with numerous groups attempting to take the throne that he currently sits on. Whether it is because they feel like he is undeserving or the title or other motivations bore out of something else, T'Challa must find a way to be a good leader as well as a fierce protector, especially when the nation's most treasured secret is threatened by Ulysses Klaue (Andy Serkis).

Boseman has touched a little bit on his character's political struggle with Entertainment Weekly as part of the media outlets extensive coverage on the much-anticipated Marvel Cinematic Universe film, directed by Ryan Coogler:

“Generally, there is unrest because there’s no leader on the throne. We’re dealing with a similar thing right now in this country. Just because a person was elected doesn’t mean everybody agrees with the things he’s going to do.”

The actor has furthered by weighing in on the various Wakandan situations that T'Challa must be on top of- which for a new leader, could be rather difficult and jarring:

“Having to make the first decisions … what do you do first? What do you choose to do that’s going to get everybody on your side? It’s a political drama essentially.”

Fortunately, despite all the threats posed by Killmonger (Michael B. Jordan), M'Baku (Winston Duke) and Klaue, T'Challa has a pretty solid support group in the form of the Dora Milaje, which is headed up by Okoye (Danai Gurira). There's also his family with his mother Ramonda (Angela Bassett) and sister, Shuri (Letitia Wright). Apparently even C.I.A. Agent Everett K. Ross (Martin Freeman), who wanted the Wakandan king arrested in Civil War, is now also on his side.

Marvel exceeds at making superhero movies that transcend genres. Captain America: The Winter Soldier has been described as a political thriller, Ant-Man is a heist film, the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise offers galactic adventures and Spider-Man: Homecoming is a coming-of-age-piece. For Black Panther, the narrative is definitely political, especially when the king is also an international superhero. The trailer for the film has further driven this point with Forest Whitaker's spiritual adviser, Shuri, telling T'Challa a very intriguing concept when it comes to leadership: “It is hard for a good man to be king.”

Hopefully, T'Challa is able to sort out his own kingdom's internal woes by the end of Black Panther as a bigger threat in Avengers: Infinity War is looming in the shadows, especially with his standalone film supposedly a direct lead into the epic team-up. The Wakandan king is expected to reunite with the rest of the Marvel superheroes when the ensemble piece rolls out only three months after his own solo adventure.